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NAU 102
Lesson 15

Magnetic Compass
BasicPrinciple
Smallmagnetsareplacedundera
compasscard.
Thecardisfreetomoveand
alignswiththehorizontal
componentoftheEarths
magneticfield.

Magnetic Compass
EarlyCompasses
Alodestoneplacedonachipof
wood,floatinginabowlofwater.

ModernCompasses
Basicallythesame.Justmore
parts!

Marine Compasses
Manyshipswillhavetwocompasses:
StandardCompass
Locatedonthecenterline,awayfrom
magneticinfluences.
Directionsstatedasperstandard
compass(psc)

Marine Compasses
Manyshipswillhavetwocompasses:
SteeringCompass
Locatednearthehelmconsole.
Directionsstatedaspersteering
compass(pstgc)

Compass Components
Bowl
Containsandsupportsallother
compasscomponents
Constructedofnonmagnetic
material
GlasscoverissecuredwithaBezel
Ring.

Bowl & Bezel Ring

Bezel
Ring

Bowl

Compass Components
LubbersLine
Alignedwiththecenterlineof
thevessel.
Indicatesthecompassheadingof
thevessel.

Lubbers Line

Compass Components
CompassCard
Staysalignedwithmagnetic
meridians.
Usuallygraduatedin360and
cardinalandintercardinalpoints.

Compass Card

Compass Components
DirectiveMagnets
Twoormoremagnets,mounted
underneaththecompasscard.
Alignthecardwiththemagnetic
meridian.

Directive Magnets

Compass Components
Pivot
Pininbowlwhichsupportsthe
compasscard.
Compasscardrotatesona
jeweledbearing.

Pivot

Compass Components
CompassFluid
Clearliquid,resistanttofreezing.
Usuallyglycolorpetroleumbased.
Reducesfrictionandoscillations.

Compass Components
CardFloatorAirChamber
Attachedtothecard.
Supportsmostoftheweightofthe
card.

Compass Components
ExpansionBellows
Allowthefluidtoexpandand
contractwithtemperature.

Pivot

Mounting Components
Thecompassismountedongimbals.
Double,hingedringsofnon
magneticmaterial.
Allowthecompasstoremainlevelas
theshiprollsandpitches.

Gimbals

Mounting Components
Gimbaledcompassis
mountedinaBinnacle.
Supportsthecompass.
Protectsfrom
environmentand
magneticinterference

Binnacle Components
Cover(Hood)
Protectsthecompassfromthe
environment.
SpiderGlass
Magnifyingglasstoenablereadingof
thecompass.

Binnacle Components
Light
Enablestheuseofthecompassat
night.
Correctors
Minimizestheeffectsofmagnetic
interference(deviation).

Correctors
QuadrantalSpheres
SoftIronSpheres
Reducedeviationon
intercardinal
headings

Correctors
ForeandAft/
AthwartshipsMagnets
Magnetsplacedin
movabletraysunder
thecompass
Reducedeviationon
cardinalheadings

Correctors
HeelingMagnet
Vertically
suspended
beneaththe
compass.
Correctscompasserrorscausedby
rollingandpitching.

Correctors
FlindersBar
Softironcontainedinatubeonthe
outsideofthebinnacle.
Compensatesforinduced
magnetismcausedbyvertical
componentofforce.

Binnacle

Introduction to Navigation

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